Clocortolone Cream

Generic name: clocortolone pivalate
Dosage form: cream
Drug class:Topical steroids

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 1, 2021.

Rx Only

For Topical Use Only

WARNING: KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN

Clocortolone Cream Description

Clocortolone pivalate cream USP, 0.1% contains the medium potency topical corticosteroid, clocortolone pivalate, in a specially formulated water-washable emollient cream base consisting of benzyl alcohol, carbomer homopolymer Type B (carbopol 974P), edetate disodium, methylparaben, mineral oil, polyoxyl 40 stearate (MYRJ 40S), propylparaben, purified water, sodium hydroxide, stearyl alcohol and white petrolatum.

Chemically, clocortolone pivalate is 9-chloro-6α-fluoro-11β, 21-dihydroxy-16αmethylpregna-1, 4-diene-3, 20-dione 21-pivalate. Its structure is as follows:

Clocortolone Cream - Clinical Pharmacology

Topical corticosteroids share anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and vasoconstrictive actions.

The mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity of the topical corticosteroids is unclear. Various laboratory methods, including vasoconstrictor assays, are used to compare and predict potencies and/or clinical efficacies of the topical corticosteroids. There is some evidence to suggest that a recognizable correlation exists between vasoconstrictor potency and therapeutic efficacy in man.

Pharmacokinetics

The extent of percutaneous absorption of topical corticosteroids is determined by many factors including the vehicle, the integrity of the epidermal barrier, and the use of occlusive dressings.

Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed from normal intact skin. Inflammation and/or other disease processes in the skin increase percutaneous absorption. Occlusive dressings substantially increase the percutaneous absorption of topical corticosteroids. Thus, occlusive dressings may be a valuable therapeutic adjunct for treatment of resistant dermatoses. (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

Once absorbed through the skin, topical corticosteroids are handled through pharmacokinetic pathways similar to systemically administered corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are bound to plasma proteins in varying degrees. Corticosteroids are metabolized primarily in the liver and are then excreted by the kidneys. Some of the top...